MLB notebook: Reds promote Price to manager

The Sports Xchange

The SportsXchangeOctober 22, 2013

The Cincinnati Reds didn't search far for their next manager. On Tuesday, the club hired pitching coach Bryan Price to be Dusty Baker's replacement as skipper. "We didn't have to think very long for the right manager," said Reds president and CEO Bob Castellini. "We're very confident Brian is the right manager to take us deep into the postseason, and farther." Price, 51, agreed to a three-year contract through the 2016 season. He has served as Reds pitching coach since 2010, helping guide the development of one of baseball's best young pitching staffs. Price is credited for the maturation of right-handers Mat Latos and Homer Bailey, who is now the architect of two no-hitters. "Any coach is a compilation of everyone he's been associated with," Price said. "I learned a lot from Dusty. I've learned from all my managers."

--Bench coach Trey Hillman was fired by the Los Angeles Dodgers, who also parted with advanced scout Wade Taylor and athletic trainer Sue Falsone as the implied result of organization meetings over the past two days. Hillman was manager Don Mattingly's bench coach for the past three seasons. Mattingly said Monday that he was unsure he would remain on the job next year.

--Hall of Famer Paul Molitor was added to the Minnesota Twins' coaching staff for the 2014 season. Manager Ron Gardenhire will use Molitor to oversee baserunning, bunting, infield instruction and positioning, plus assist with in-game strategy from the dugout for the 2014 season, the team announced. Molitor, 57, was the Seattle Mariners' hitting coach in 2004 and was a major league coach with the Twins under manager Tom Kelly in 2000 and 2001.

--John Hirschbeck was selected as the crew chief for the World Series between the Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals. Hirschbeck, who will be behind the plate for Game 1 at Fenway Park on Wednesday, worked three previous World Series, including one as the crew chief in 2010. The umpiring crew will also include regular-season crew chiefs Dana DeMuth and Jim Joyce along with umpires Paul Emmel, Bill Miller and Mark Wegner.

--Nine-time Grammy Award winner Mary J. Blige will sing the national anthem before Game 1 of the World Series.